Huun-Huur-Tu and Carmen Rizzo Bring An Ecclectic and Avant-Garde Mix To Scottsdale

By Benjamin Leatherman Mon., May 24 2010 at 10:00 AM

Categories: Announcements

Carmen Rizzo (far right) and the members of Huun-Huur-Tu.

If you thought the newly opened Musical Instrument Museum was diverse in its selection of exotic instruments from around the world (where Nigerian hausa trumpets and a Burmese saung guak harp are housed in the same building as Eric Clapton's stratocasters), try checking out the multifaceted lineup of artists performing in its theatre this summer.

During the next few grueling months of burning temps, the MIM will host a cool cornucopia of genre-bending musicians from around the world, ranging from Scottish roots band Old Blind Dogs to avant-garde gypsy act Parno Graszt (click here for the full rundown of who's playing when).

One of the more unique acts that will be making it to the MIM in the coming weeks is the combo of Russian throat singing ensemble Huun-Huur-Tu and renowned DJ/producer Carmen Rizzo. Never heard of either of 'em? Read on for an explanation, which is sure to help expand your limited worldview.

Saryglarlar Maidens - Huun Huur Tu and Carmen Rizzo by SixDegreesRecords

Throat singing (or overtone singing) is a rather unique musical style whereby its practitioners create a continuous dirge of droning with their voices that occasionally mimics sounds of nature. Its practiced around the world, including in the Tuva region of Russia from which the members of Huun Huur Tu hail from.

Rizzo, a Grammy-nominated trance artist who's worked with such bigwigs as Alanis Morissette and Paul Oakenfold, was recruited by the ensemble to take their thrum and pair it with a backing soundtrack of electronica to create distinctive soundscape of grooves. The result? The 2009 album Eternal, which featured eight tracks of haunting ambient music that got rave reviews from world music fanatics.

Huun Huur Tu and Rizzo will only be visiting six North American cities on their current tour, and Scottsdale will be one of the them. The ensemble stops by the MIM for a two-night gig on Wednesday, June 9, and Thursday, June 10. Admission is $40-$50 each night and can be purchased here.